We firmly believe that you are an Athlete and that if you start to consider yourself an athlete first and a person with diabetes second, your health and diabetes management will improve along with your athletic performance. We thought it might help you get to this belief in yourself to read definitions of Athlete from our coaches, staff and athletes.

An Athlete is…

I have been thinking about what makes someone an athlete for years now. I’ve struggled with calling myself an athlete, even after I’d done several difficult triathlons and many 100 mile bike rides, I wasn’t sure I was an athlete. I’m not fast, and I don’t win prizes, so, how could I be an athlete? Finally, after working with coaches and after lots of thinking about it, I decided: I am an athlete. And all of a sudden how I looked at life changed. I was empowered and excited about taking care of myself. So, then I thought, maybe I should encourage others to mentally decide they were athletes FIRST, rather than wait until some elusive athletic goal had been achieved. With that in mind, I define athlete to be someone who puts training, exercise, their sport and their body FIRST. In my world, it’s about a mental commitment to physical performance. From that commitment emerges motivation and drive to take care of ones self with exquisite care. Setting a goal to achieve also focuses athletes, so, set that goal and then make a plan to get there! All of us can be athletes! – Mari Ruddy

An athlete is someone who is always striving to be better. It’s someone who looks to push their limits and redefine them. An athlete is someone who enjoys being healthy, sharing their passion for sport with others and isn’t afraid to try new things. – Kali Abel

An athlete is someone who is willing to get out there and give their chosen sport(s) a go.  To put in the time during training to prepare the body for what lies ahead.  Someone who knows what they want and they are not afraid to go after it no matter what challenges may lie in front of them.  An athlete pushes the boundaries, they are persistent and have a craving for being better. – Jarrod Fritsch

An athlete to me is anyone who gets up and moves around.  It does not have to be formal exercise, but living an active life rather than that of a couch potato typically falls into my Athlete definition.  Now if someone participates in training programs with set goals and constantly works to improve their physical well being via exercise to me that person is a “super star” athlete!  – Tiffany Briggs

I don’t think I actually considered myself an athlete until I ran my first 5K, and even then I questioned how I looked as a runner compared to those who really “looked” like runners.  But I realized a person who participates regularly in a sport, of their choice, and does it with conviction and enjoyment is a true athlete, no matter how fast or slow.  I think there are many types of athletes.  What defines the individual athlete will always differ.  I also think that as long as you are putting effort into moving with purpose you are an athlete.  A person who run/walks a “running” event is still an athlete. They have trained using the technique that works for them to move ahead and finish the race.   – Jennifer Smith

Too many people tie too much unnecessary meaning to the word “athlete”. If you asked me how I define a runner, I’d say it’s someone who runs, simple as that.  So an athlete is just someone who goes out and participates in a sport.  I guess there’s a component of participating semi-regularly, but that’s it.  It’s not about how fast, how far, or how many of your friends you can beat.  You’re already beating all of the people who couldn’t get themselves out the door.  So get out there and participate.  That’s all you need to be an athlete. – Michael Kelly

An athlete is someone who uses physical components such as strength, speed, flexibility, power, and agility to perform a task. An athlete continues to strive to reach a goal – whether it may be to improve or compete in a certain task, sport, or event. – Lyndsay Riffe

Athletes set performance goals and are able to focus and train consistently to meet those goals, no matter what the goal is. – Nicole Freedman

To me, you are an athlete if physical activity is an integral part of your life.  ”An integral part of your life” means you have a planned approach to working out and you (mostly) stick to the plan.  You don’t have to compete to be an athlete.  You don’t have to say you are an athlete.  You don’t have to participate in one of the mainstream “sports.”  A person who does yoga or pilates or tai kwan do or …fill in the blank… is an athlete.  Athletes come in all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. – Lynnda Best-Wiss

An athlete is anyone who participates regularly in a sport. “Athlete”
refers specifically to an individual with strong all-around athletic
ability that indicates the potential to succeed at multiple positions. – Amy McGuire

I think the word “Athlete” scares some people, maybe painting a picture of the athletes we’re seeing on TV.  But for me, an athlete is anyone that moves regularly – and more importantly, someone who uses the time they’re not moving to improve on the time they are moving. – Scott K. Johnson

Anyone who makes a conscious choice to participate in a sport or physical activity and places a priority on that practice is an athlete in my book. – Heather Leide

I never considered myself an athlete until I was like 22 years old! Being an athlete, in my opinion, has nothing to do with competitions or trophies, it’s about having confidence and commitment to whatever form of sport you love the most! Even if you go running three days a week but never step foot into an official race, you are an athlete. An athlete is someone who makes exercise a priority in their life, and looks forward to challenging themselves. – Ginger Vieira

Anyone who regularly engages in a physical activity, whether that be walking, running, boxing, swimming, golf, etc. – Sarah Worah

Pushing yourself, staying healthy, feeding the body health to achieve
performance for your own personal goals. – Mara Schwartz

The good news is that the athletes of TeamWILD are YOU! Regular folks who have full lives and many of them didn’t feel comfortable calling themselves athletes when they started with TeamWILD. Things they said about themselves included: I’m too slow. I have diabetes, I am not an athlete. I’m not that good at cycling/running or fill-in-the-blank. You name it, we’ve heard it.

Here’s the deal, we call people who use TeamWILD training programs: athletes. You didn’t get to choose that you have diabetes. But, you can chose how you take care of yourself. And we believe that calling yourself an athlete is a powerful mindset for wellness. TeamWILD programs empower you, in an integrated way, about HOW to exercise safely with diabetes, and maximize your diabetes and athletic performance!

Today, I got to spend some amazing time with Scott K. Johnson and Heather Leide. They are doing the TeamWILD 100 mile cycling training program. And they live in Minnesota, where it’s usually very cold in February. Not today! So, after lunch, we went to the park and made a video. They are in week 4 of training, and they are rocking it! They are training for the 100 mile route of the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure Twin Cities on June 2, 2012. Go RED RIDERS!

Thanks Heather and Scott for being athletes and for taking charge of your health and your lives and helping to spread the TeamWILD word!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jgI-Z6sFZc

What follows is a Race Report from a new TeamWILD athlete, Megan Schmid. Megan is 30 years old, has had type 1 diabetes for 4 years and she lives in California. Megan just completed her first half marathon. GO MEGAN! We are all very proud of you!

In addition to receiving weekly training plans, diabetes & sports nutrition education, and mental skills training, TeamWILD athletes receive one-on-one feedback and guidance from certified and highly qualified experts in athletic and diabetes performance.

Marcey Robinson, MS, RD, CDE, BC-ADM, reviewed Megan’s Race Report and gave some detailed tips for Megan to incorporate as she trains for her next event: an Olympic distance triathlon!!

We asked Megan if it would be okay to share with you how her race went and share Marcey’s responses. Megan said yes! It’s a long Report made longer with Marcey’s comments, but we think you will enjoy reading one athlete’s story.

Megan’s Race Report is in black.

Marcey’s comments are in blue.

Palm Springs, California, Half-Marathon, Race Report 2/12/12

My Motivation

Two days post race, it’s starting to really sink in that I completed a major goal of finishing a ½ marathon. A year ago, I never would have thought this was something that I could accomplish. A year ago I would have told you that I hate running, that I’m not built to run further than a couple of miles, and that a 10k was probably the top distance that I could accomplish. The major shift in attitude came from training for triathlons. I love triathlons, and in order to race triathlons, you have to run!  In the last year, I found I also love to push my personally perceived limitations. These two things together lead me to train for a ½ marathon in the off-season. My goals were to become a better runner, to learn how to enjoy running, and to break that impossible 6+ mile mental barrier.

Megan, what a great accomplishment – Congrats!  I’m so excited for you and I hope you can take this momentum and fine tune your next race.  I would like to offer you some TeamWILD feedback, comments and some tips to help you. I will add them in to your awesome Race Report.

The Details

Training: My training program was 16 weeks through active.com. (My next training program will be from TeamWILD!) I started out with a base of 6 miles being my longest run to date and running about 10 miles a week. The longest training run was 10 miles and occurred 3 weeks before the race. The next week the longest run was 8 miles (with a total of 18 miles for the week), and 1 week before the race 6 miles. I stuck to the training program for the most part. I got all of the long runs in, however I was not as diligent about getting cross training days in and I did not lift weights at all in the last 3 months. I felt great after my 10 mile run 3 weeks ago, and am starting to wonder if the program tapered too early.

As you athletically train for your event, train your diabetes and nutrition too. Did you have a plan? Specifically a plan to train your diabetes and nutrition? We offer that through TeamWILD, you will get that as you train for your triathlon.

The athletic component is designed with the diabetes and nutrition training woven in each week. We athletic and diabetes/nutrition coaches talk to each other about you! Plus with TeamWILD training programs, you get to talk to us and ask questions. For example, if you wonder about the length of the taper, you can ask us!

The day before the race: Friday night I got about 8 hours of sleep and slept very well. My aunt and uncle have a condo in town and were gracious enough to let me stay there and kept me well fed and rested through the weekend. I went for a 15-minute run Saturday morning, and then had 2 eggs, toast and 2 pieces of bacon for breakfast. I then spent a few hours leisurely strolling through the outlets in Cabazon with my cousin. For lunch I had Panda Express orange chicken and steamed vegetables. For dinner I had ahi tuna w/ wasabe mashed potatoes (approximately 35g of carbs). I went to bed with a BG of 96.

Great job on the sleep, as any of the TeamWILD coaches will tell you, it’s 8-9 hours if you can get it.  Nutrition the day before the race is also important: fuel the athlete with high quality fuel (fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein) and be sure to include adequate carbohydrate at meals (We recommend about 60 grams) to assure your glycogen stores are topped off.

Higher fat foods can increase insulin resistance and make blood sugars harder to control.  Blood sugar control becomes important to maximize those glycogen stores on race day; the goal is to avoid hypoglycemia which can deplete them and hyperglycemia which can lead to poor glycogen formation.

Speaking of hyperglycemia, it can also contribute to dehydration.  Lastly, hydration is important both for the day before and day of the race.  As a goal, fluid needs start at ~ ½ your body weight in ounces (for example, if you weigh 140 lbs, start with a goal of 70 oz daily).

Equipment: Animas One touch Ping Pump, Dexcom continuous glucose monitor, 3 cliff shot gels (approx 25g each), One Touch Ultra-mini meter with 3 test strips wrapped in saran wrap around the meter (to keep them dry and secure!), and lancet, all carried in a spibelt.

Great job with having an equipment plan. I would offer one more tip, it’s great you thought of keeping your strips dry and secure, but be careful about taking them out of the container they come in.  Glucometer strips are highly sensitive to temperature and humidity changes which can damage them to the point of being unusable.  Didn’t happen this time but it usually isn’t worth risking. We’ll offer lots of ideas for testing during races through the TeamWILD Athlete to Athlete Tips series.

Megan at the start line of the Palm Springs Half Marathon

Race Day: I woke up 2 hours before race start with a BG of 125. I had slept for about 7 hours, and felt rested despite pre-race jitters waking me up a few times during the night. I had oatmeal for breakfast 35g of carbs and in retrospect way over bolused insulin for the time frame. I would have been fine if I had eaten 3 hours before the race, or if I’d bolused half the amount. My basal rates were set at -80% of normal from 45 minutes prior to race start and for the first hour of the race, -70% for the second hour, and -65% for the rest of the race.

That race day meal is of utmost importance to restore your glycogen stores that you burned through during the night, and I would aim for at least 60 grams of carbohydrates, if not more (depends on your total energy needs).

It was great you took concern as to how to bolus for this meal and relate it to time, many athletes actually wake up very early to eat breakfast and have it fully digested/no active insulin prior to the start of the event.  That works for some because it helps to avoid those early race sugar drops; however, to account for the pre-race jitters, some athletes benefit from having a small bit of insulin on board.

You may need to play with this a little more to find that out for you.  As far as your diabetes plan during the race, I really encourage you to watch the TeamWILD Diabetes Training videos included in your Olympic triathlon training program.

There is one tip that I just have to tell you about now! We encourage you to have your goal during your race be to achieve blood sugar control AND exercise performance. To do that, you need to fuel the exercise with carbohydrate (your 25 g would be just under the 30-60 g carb/hr that is scientifically recommended) and adjust insulin to support that – the rule should be never to decrease insulin less than 50%.

Now this might sound like a formula for a low blood sugar, but I assure you that once you understand fuel metabolism and diabetes, you will see how important it is to have that insulin around.  What you will achieve is blood sugar control AND performance.  Maybe performance that will exceed what you ever thought possible. This is specifically what we help athletes with diabetes understand and achieve!

It was a gorgeous day on Sunday. There had been a bad windstorm the night before, but in the morning everything was calm and clear and the temp was around 55 at 7 in the morning. My anticipated pace was 12:30min/mi, with a total time of 2hrs and 40 min. I started the race with a BG of 180, which I felt was great at the time. Again, in retrospect if I had checked insulin on board, I would’ve not been so content with this number. I started off slow, calm steady pace. My biggest fear was to get caught up in the moment and take off way too fast.  The course was mostly flat, with a gradual incline from miles 2-4 and one big hill in the middle of mile 4. The remainder of the course was flat, twisting and turning through the neighborhoods just up against the mountains in Palm Springs.

Great job at paying attention to insulin on board, you are ahead of the game!

My target BG is typically 120 – 150. Around 30 minutes in I checked my Dex, which showed 145 with a slanted down arrow. I took 1 gel and kept my steady turtle pace. 15 minutes later I checked again, 124 with a slanted arrow down. This was a little troublesome to me. I don’t like downward slanting arrows when I’m running! My game plan had been to take 1 gel every 45-60 minutes and I had no fast acting sugar with me. I took a second gel at 45 minutes into the run, and took a drink of gu electrolyte mix from the aid station (unknown carb count). At 1:10 into the race, the dex was reading 119 and the arrow had finally leveled out. I was content with that! At this point I was also behind schedule, just reaching mile marker 5. I tried to pick up the pace a tiny bit, but again was fearfully of overexerting myself too early.

So by mentioning this, I hope you see the importance of having both fuel for exercise and quick acting sugar to treat hypoglycemia.  These actually are very different.  Your gels have maltodextrin as the carbohydrate and therefore are absorbed slower – this is great to fuel exercise, but not treat a low blood sugar.  I would encourage you to carry glucose tabs as well so that you could get instant absorption of that sugar and recover quicker (less time lost maybe next time).

At the halfway point I picked up a gu gel pack at the aid station to restock my spibelt bringing my total carbs in possession to 50g, which also eased some anxieties. I also managed to test my BG while running! That was a first and something I was overly proud of in the moment. So at the halfway point my official BG was 138, with the Dex still reading 120 with level arrow. From this point on my BG was stable and minimally concerning. I took one more gel in mile 9. BG ceased to be a concern in the last half of the race, for which I was thankful.  I needed all of my focus on the run itself, which of course became a major struggle.

Hooray, testing as you ran!  Even with a CGM, we at TeamWILD recommend a finger stick every at least every hour of your event.

Despite the battle with the BGs in miles 2 – 5, the first 9 miles of the course were amazing. The view coming down from the hill in mile 5 of Palm Springs was spectacular. The moon was still out and the early morning light gave everything that beautiful pink and purple hue. My fellow runners were all very cheerful and friendly and everyone seemed to be enjoying the day. Around mile 9, the run stopped being fun and started being work. I had been meditating/praying all morning mostly with thoughts of gratitude, but in the last 3 miles I turned to asking for focus and resolve and the strength to get through it.

I started getting a side ache in mile 10 that I never really got rid off. In mile 11 I started following a young lady who had the same pace for me for about ½ a mile until she stopped to walk. As I passed her I offered words of encouragement, and when she complained of a side ache I called back “Me too! You can keep going! Don’t stop!” In mile 12, I felt like my body was failing me, I was so exhausted. I could no longer keep focus and was losing my resolve not to walk. I actually stood still for a few moments trying to muster up some more will to keep moving. Then the universe sent me motivation embodied by the girl I had passed in mile 11. She came up along side me and said, “You can’t stop! You’re the reason I’m still running. Run with me!” We ran the last mile together, and actually sprinted the last 0.1 into the finish line. I could not have kept running without her. She was truly a godsend.

Mental strength, great job! For your tri, you’ll get to work with the TeamWILD Mental Skills coach Ginger Vieira.  But, that said, what I’m thinking here is HYDRATION.  It’s the one thing I haven’t heard you mention yet.  The goal is 1 standard water bottle/hr.  When I hear side ache, dehydration could be the issue.

I crossed the finish line and saw my cousin and uncle waiting and cheering for me. I promptly collapsed and checked my BG: 108! I call that a success! My finish time was 2:49:52, pace 12:58. 8 minutes over my goal. They had a bionic division for people with replacement hips and knees. I still think I should have counted for that division given I have an artificial pancreas!

Yay!

Post Race: I had a bit of BG rollercoaster post race. I set my basal to -30% of normal and ate a large orange without bolusing. 1 hour later my BG was 326! I returned my basal rate to normal and made a corrective bolus. Ate toast, eggs, and bacon as a post race meal. 2 hrs post meal my BG was 69. After that my insulin sensitivity seemed to return to its normal pre-race level. Yesterday and today I’m a little sore, but doing pretty well. BGs are on target, however I’ve been a little indulgent in my eating habits. Cupcake 1 day post-race, yes please!

But now here comes the BG fall-out…hyperglycemia post endurance exercise is most often due to dehydration and the result of reducing insulin too much during exercise.  The fact you had that side ache and tie it in with this info, hydration was likely a big culprit but also, think about how your body has to re-adjust to the lower basal insulin (it takes 90 min post a basal change to realize the effect).  In addition, insulin sensitivity due to the exercise kicks in usually 4-8-12 hrs later and lasts up to 24 hrs depending upon the duration of exercise.  During this time, you are at risk for hypoglycemia and likely need adjustments to bolus and maybe basal insulin. We here at TeamWILD can help you figure out these adjustments!

Conclusion

In this last year I’ve come to realize that I love participating in events. I will never be a top competitor in my age group, but I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I finish. It is such an amazing experience to work towards a goal, train for months, and then participate with a 1,000 other people in the same event. I love the sense of camaraderie that everyone has. I also feel triumphant when I achieve good BG control through an event. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to juggle all the equipment and supplies and mental strategies, and it can seem like such a hassle. Training has helped me want to have better control and understanding of my insulin needs, to wear med alert jewelry, to carry glucose with me where ever I go, and to try and be in harmony with my diabetes rather than always fighting it. In turn, diabetes has helped me appreciate just being out there participating and finishing. When I can cross the finish line with a BG of 108, I’ve definitely won the day!

Up next: Wildflower Olympic Distance May 6^th!

Yes, You Did It!  The thing about making a race plan is that you race your plan but you also have to adapt to whatever issues come your way and you did that – fantastic!  You will continue to have success with your races/events because you took the time to evaluate your race day and learn what worked and what didn’t.

Now with TeamWILD, you can find more ways to not only meet your goals, but even reach higher and make new ones.

Thank you for sharing and GO WILD! We are here to support you on your way to an amazing WILDflower experience! ~ Marcey

If you would like to have access to the awesome experts at TeamWILD, sign up for one of our walk, run, cycling or triathlon training programs. Or come to one of our CampWILD Training Camps!!

From Megan, after she read the comments from Marcey:

Thank you for the feedback!

I did drink water at every aid station (probably about 50 – 75 mls each time) and there were 8 of them. I just didn’t think to mention it in the report. But this is why I want to work with you guys at TeamWILD. I’ve been trying to figure all of this stuff out on my own, and it’s working ok but obviously it needs improvement!

Also friendly reminders to do the right thing are always good (like I knew I needed fast acting glucose in my belt, but just didn’t have room. I chose the meter over the glucose tabs! I plan to invest in an amphipod race belt soon so I carry more things comfortably and don’t have to make those choices.)

Megan, we are so excited to work with you!!! GO WILD! ~ Mari

Happy Valentine’s Day to you!

photo source: http://www.bicyclinghub.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-i-rideone-mans-personal-story-of.html

If you’re like me, you get into the routine of living your life with diabetes to the point that you often don’t acknowledge the effort it takes. On top of that, you are training for, or thinking about, riding in the Tour de Cure this year. You might be planning to ride further than you ever have before. Or you’re trying to recruit more teammates or raise more money. Maybe you’re getting ready for the first ride of your life. Whatever goals you’ve set, I want you to know that you are amazing!!!

Year round, you inspire me: I read your stories online, I cheer when I see your jersey (even louder when it isn’t a Tour day). At the start lines of the Tour de Cure we join as a team, whether we’re riding for Team Red, a friends & family team, or alone. I am in awe of you, poised at the start, young and old, living amazing lives with Diabetes. Yes, you inspire me to ride. You also inspire me to keep paying attention to my own diabetes care.

When I put on my Red Rider jersey, I feel an encouraging hug from Mari as I head out for a ride. I hope you will too, and one from me. As it says on your shoulder, you are not alone!

Love,

Heather

As you might guess from the fact that this Thursday post is going up on Friday, my schedule has become rather discombobulated. Paying attention to sleep hours and getting my workouts in just has my day job has become a sprinted marathon  is proving to be the most challenging part of this season’s training program (so far). How timely that Bicycling.com posted on Facebook this week about Evie Stevenson, a Wall Street professional and professional bike racer. She offers 11 tips on squeezing it all in.

I am going to focus on number 6 for the next week or two: “When you are riding or training, switch completely off from work — really enjoy the time.” I’m not great at separating the things that demand my attention so I think this will be a good lesson for me.

While focused on cycling, I suspect these could be translated to other sports. Number 11, for example, could apply to any practice at all: “When these tips fail you from time to time, and you miss a training session due to work or other commitments, don’t beat yourself up too much. Just get back to it.” In the comments, please share your favorite or most challenging of the tips or tell us how you’re adapting it to your sport.

I have been living with type 1 diabetes for 21 years. Diagnosed just before my sophomore year of college, I became known as “the girl with the scale” in the dorm cafeteria as I weighed my cheese and wrote down everything I ate. My meticulous record-keeping habits have long-since lagged.

In 2001, I formed a Tour de Cure team, the Pancremaniacs, to celebrate my start on an insulin pump. In 2009, we re-grouped and rode a vastly improved Tour (much thanks to Janeece Oatman, MN Tour Coordinator extraordinaire). It was cold and rainy, but very fun and I found a love of biking I’m not sure I’d ever had. The Pancremaniacs has grown (we’re shooting for 40 riders this year) and made a commitment to ride the Tour annually as well as to train and ride socially together.

I have trained under the expert guidance of TeamWILD since 2010 and am delighted to be a part of the staff. By day, I am an Architect. In the spaces between, I am on the lookout for great stories to share with you, our WILD readers. Please feel free to send me ideas about what you’d like to read here.

 

with my parents at the 2011 Tour de Cure

In myself: doing my best, learning, a sense of accomplishment.

Coach Nicole is having none of that. Our first assignment issued in the “welcome to your 18-week plan” email was to do a 20 mile ride outside, no matter how cold or wet. Now, I know that riding in 50-degree rain is miserable (I’ve done it for the Tour de Cure). I was relieved that the forecast for the week did not include rain or snow. Monday was supposed to be the warmest day so I tweeted Scott encouragement to get out there and ride. I had to work and realized my schedule left only Sunday for a mid-afternoon (warmest part of the day) ride. I crossed my fingers.

This morning, the forecast showed 37 degrees and sunny at 3pm. The day maxed at 28 cloudy degrees (F). Based on that early forecast, though, I had my sights set on getting through this ride. I ate at sort of odd times to be sure my bolus wouldn’t be hanging around. I reduced my basal at 1:30 for a take-off at 3. At 2:30, I started to suit up, totally unsure what I would need/want to wear for this ride. Here’s what I wore, head-to-toe, and what I learned. I’m including some brands to aid my memory, not because I think you ought to copy my kit.

Head:

Helmet: of course.

Balaklava – I didn’t really need to pull anything over my mouth (which just fogged my glasses and made me too warm). A thin but warm hat would be fine.

Cycling glasses w/rose colored lenses – it wasn’t bright, but they kept the cold wind off my eyeballs.

Top:

Silk long underwear turtle neck, x-c ski hoody (Mountain Hardware): excellent choices

Handknit wool Pancremaniac jersey (shown left): I’m tempted to make another – WILD next time.

North Face Soft Shell: one layer too many, I removed it at mile 4, but it might have been the better jacket to cut the wind.

TeamWILD jacket: I bought this last year, too big, but I find it’s quite ok when you’re layering it over four other layers. Seeing “Go WILD” on my sleeve helped when my enthusiasm lagged around mile 9.

Hands:

Gloves, not cycling, REI All-season multisport: These did well. My fingers got really cold after my last BG test at ~ mile 17, but warmed up again before I got home.

Bottom:

Cycling Tights under X-C Ski pants: Surprisingly, this was not overkill. I never over-heated, just stayed comfortable in the leg region.

Feet:

Cycle socks, thick rag-wool socks, Keen lace-up shoes: My feet stayed warm (though my toes felt instantly cold when I removed my cycle gear after the ride). My biggest problem was with the shoes. I have pedals that have cleats on one side and allow non-cycle shoes on the other, but have no cages. I found my feet slipped off my pedals too much for my liking, especially when shifting in preparation for a little incline.

Things I wished I had: different shoe/pedal combination; I am considering shoe covers. Kleenex, lots of it.

My BG meter worked fine the whole ride. It gave me a “out of temperature range” error after I got in the house so I had to wait a few minutes to get my post-ride reading. Next time, I might take a Mini instead of my Ping and tuck it in a pocket inside my jacket, just in case.

I remembered (again) today how much I love riding my bike. Riding on a trainer doesn’t make me happy like riding outside does, even when I’m navigating around a few icy puddles. I was riding my old hybrid, a tank of a bike compared to my road bike and still I felt free. I also realized that for all the general advice that riding a trainer is more strenuous than riding outside because of coasting and stoplights (outside), I actually ride much harder outside. I don’t have to negotiate with myself to keep going when I’m out on the trails. I have a goal distance or a loop that needs to be completed. No counting down minutes to go; I know home is the end, but I’m rarely in a rush to get there. Except when it’s getting dark.

Next time, I’m starting at 2.

This is the little promo video we made to encourage people with diabetes to become a Red Rider. Please share this with anyone you think would like to ride their bike to Stop Diabetes!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBxriuh1ZZQ

Have you ever had a big dream? Have you ever wanted to contribute something to the world? You know, something that will make the world a better place? Have you ever felt called from your toes to the top of your head to do a particular something? Something that is so strong, on some days you wonder, “How will this crazy idea actually play out?”

If you can relate to any of these questions, then you can relate to what has been compelling me for the past 18 months or so. After I was diagnosed with breast cancer the second time in July 2010, and I successfully made it through treatments, I felt a burning need within myself to actually DO something with the little bit of time we each have in a lifetime.

I had conceived of the Red Riders and started Team Red and it had grown and many others had taken the original concept and exploded the original vision to a beautiful, grand scale. Special thanks to Sara, Mike, the Kens, Bob, Nicole P, Tami and all the others who believed and got behind it.

But the question still remained for me, “How do people with diabetes, both type 2 and type 1, actually successfully gain the complex knowledge and confidence to exercise, train for, and participate in, these cycling events and other endurance athletic events?”

I have been grappling with this question for years. It haunts and disturbs me that the western medicine model doesn’t allow for much, if any, integration between athletics and medicine. And that patients, me and you, rarely can get the instruction and education to gain the tools to exercise and train with profound confidence.

Profound confidence. Yes, that’s what compels me to stay up late and work on compiling the TeamWILD training plans. It’s the desire to create in the participants and members of TeamWILD profound confidence that keeps me searching for a few investors, more partners and sponsors, and live on the most fragile shoe-string budget of my life.

I didn’t develop profound confidence until I profoundly understood diabetes in MY body. We talk about how we with diabetes are all different. But what does that actually MEAN? How does that play out for each of us when we show up in the gym, on the track, at the pool, on a bike ride?

I have been very sick at times in my life. I have had some tough challenges to overcome, and I have a career working closely in inner-city schools with some of the most at-risk youth in America. And the ONLY thing that I have consistently seen that empowers people is EDUCATION and and education that gives ACCESS to smart people who are willing to share their knowledge and who are willing to BE on the journey with the one who desires to learn.

That’s what TeamWILD is: access to experts who will listen. Access to detailed education about diabetes and exercise that is woven in with fitness and athletic training plans.

Can you FEEL my passion? This is the most serious thing I have EVER done in my life! And I have not wasted much time in this life. And at the same time, I am having the most fun that I have ever had! This is the biggest clue that lets me know when I have my frequent attacks of uncertainty, that I’m on the right track.

TeamWILD is all of my skills, insights, previous life experiences rolled into one thing. And my deepest desire is to share this empowerment. And, having the coaches, diabetes coaches and amazing dedication of all the TeamWILD staff tirelessly working alongside me, reminds me that what we are creating and collectively sharing with you and the world, IS needed. Will work. And is worth continuing to create and share.

So, if you want to help out. If you want to get involved. If you know someone I should talk to, please let me know!!! And in the meantime, if you have been thinking of participating with TeamWILD, please do. Come to our camp in Boulder in June. Start a WILDfit program. Do a cycling or triathlon or a run program.

I will do everything, in fact I will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to help you on your journey to profound confidence, athletic empowerment and overall health. Please get involved! You are needed.

~Mari

At TeamWILD we have an integrated approach to being an athlete with diabetes. The athletic coaches work in tandem with the diabetes and sports nutrition coaches to create programs that allow for maximum performance.

We have programs for Cycling - 100 miles, 100K and 50K, for Running - Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, for Triathlon - 70.3, Olympic and Sprint. WILDfit is our walk/run starter program for people with diabetes to experiment with being an athlete first. We also have several Training and Race Camps planned for 2012.

Be sure to sign up for the TeamWILD newsletter! This is how we will let everyone know about TeamWILD programs, news and get hot tips about how to be an athlete and fit person with diabetes! We want to help everyone with diabetes be WILD and healthy! Take action! Let us know who you are and we will help you!

Here’s a testimonial from Tiffany, type 2, who did the Cycling Program. TeamWILD will transform your life!  Go WILD!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqnFELk30s

Scott has lived with type 1 diabetes since April of 1980. He started blogging late in 2004, one of the first 5 diabetes bloggers, and the first male type 1 diabetes blogger. He has watched the diabetes online community explode and become one of the largest and most active online patient communities.  He summarizes his approach like this: “I bring an honest and open account of my life with diabetes. I work hard to stay involved, and contribute as much as I can back to the community that has changed my life in such a beneficial way.”

 

working out with TeamWILD's mental skills coach Ginger Vieira

 

 

 

 

One of the main ways I like to think I’m inspiring life with diabetes is simply telling my story.  We all have a story to tell, and we are actively changing the way diabetes is perceived AND what people find when they search for “diabetes” on the Internet.

I’m also super excited to announce that I am training with TeamWILD for the 100 mile route for the 2012 Minneapolis Tour de Cure.  My lifetime distance record on a bike is 45 miles, so I’m simultaneously super excited and terrified about this challenge.  While I’m very excited about training to accomplish this epic challenge, I think I’m even more excited to learn about bodies in motion with diabetes.  Every little bit of knowledge I can add to my toolbox will help me for many healthy years with diabetes.

Go Red Rider!!!